Burning Desires One Night of Lust

Ivory arrived late on the eve of her father's wedding. The grand event house was already buzzing with elegant guests. She however had a storm of anger on her face as she walked dead straight to the reception desk.

"I want the key to one of the rooms at the far end," she said, her voice steely.

The receptionist, startled by her tone, handed over the key. She snatched it and strode off with a clenched jaw.

Her father intercepted her in the hallway, smiling. "Sweetheart, you made it!"

She didn't meet his gaze before she talked. "I didn't have much choice. I'm furious you're marrying your assistant's mother." 

His smile faltered. "Just try to enjoy yourself, for my sake?"

"Sure," she replied sharply, forcing a brief smile before it disappeared as she turned away.

Meanwhile Leo,her step-brother-to-be had seen her from the gazebo where he was sitting, so he went to the receptionist and requested for her room.

Inside the elevator, her soon-to-be stepmother, Laura, slipped in beside her, all fake warmth and sweet smiles.

"Ivory, honey," Laura cooed. "You should smile more. We wouldn't want the guests to get the wrong idea."

Ivory narrowed her eyes. "Right. I'll try."

Laura's smile wavered but then righted itself again. "That's the spirit. No drama tonight, okay?"

She said nothing, fighting the urge to speak back. The tension was suffocating but she kept her cool.

At the very first breeze from the doors, she  rushed out so fast, really wanting to get away from Laura. She stormed down the hallway and into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Snatching up a short red gown, she quickly threw it on. Her fingers flew over her laptop keyboard, desperate to focus on anything other than the chaos around her.

She hadn't realized the door was left ajar until Leo slid in quietly behind her.

"You could have stayed home, if you hadn't wanted to come," His amused voice came through the silence.

Ivory stiffened but didn't look up. "I didn't want to, but your mom insisted. Family bonding nonsense, I guess."

He leaned on the doorframe, smirking, "Funny, you're here but seem completely displaced."

"Maybe I'm just not that excited about the wedding," she shot back, still typing.

"Jealous, perhaps? Don't want to share your dad's love?" Leo teased.

Ivory's fingers paused. She inhaled slowly to calm herself. "Seriously? Go search out your girlfriends and leave me alone. I have work to do."

Leo ignored her words and entered the room. His eyes glanced before returning to her. 

"You're so focused on me more than anything else, seems there's something you're not telling me," his voice low.

She finally looked up, eyes icy. "You're delusional."

He stepped closer, his tone dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You're pretending. I know you want me; that's why you chose the farthest room, isn't it? So no one would hear your screams."

Her heart raced as his fingers brushed over her arm. She shivered and quickly pushed his hand away. "Back off, Leo."

But he didn't move. Instead, he leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek. "Spiteful. I like that," he whispered.

Ivory suddenly stood up, knocking her laptop over. He blocked her way, not letting her pass then he frowned.

"Does your dad know you're into girls?" he tossed, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Maybe that's why Laura wants you here so badly."

"What the hell are you blabbering about?" She snapped, her fist clenched.

His smile darkened. "My mom doesn't get interested in people easily. If she wants you here desperately, there's a reason. Maybe she's saving you for something.....special."

Ivory stepped closer, her voice dropping low and venomous. "Go ask your conniving mother why she begged me to come."